Thus, CXCR4 expression positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.56–4.15; P = 0.0002; I2 = 26%) and advanced UICC stage III and IV (OR: 3.40; 95% CI: 1.67–6.92; P = 0.0007; I2 = 0%) (Fig 3C and 3D). Here, CXCR4 is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.